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A well-known individual who dedicated his life to the Summerside sports community is being remembered for his professionalism, work ethic and people skills.
“It’s a sad day for Summerside and minor sports – a huge loss,” Summerside Area Minor Hockey Association president Doug Dexter said after learning Paul Gallant had passed away on Thursday at the age of 60.
Gallant was the scheduling co-ordinator for the City of Summerside and held prominent roles on numerous host committees of national and international events, including world softball championships in 1989 and 1994.
“Paul was a volunteer on every national championship that was held in Summerside dating back to 1983,” said Gallant’s close friend Roger Ahern. “His leadership quality was evident in everything that he attempted, and his desire to make it a success will always be remembered.”
Ahern noted Gallant was a respected baseball and softball umpire in the 1970s and 1980s.
“I was lucky enough to be around Paul when he started umpiring, and he was one of the best in the business, and he was recognized for his work by receiving a Level 5 rating,” said Ahern. “Paul umpired in at least five national championships Visiting hours for Paul Gallant will be held at the East Prince Funeral Home in Summerside on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will take place at St. Paul’s Church in Summerside on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
across Canada.”
Gallant served as the official scorer and public address announcer for about 20 years at Cahill Stadium. He also was the official scorer for the Charlottetown-based P.E.I. Senators’ run in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 1996.
“Paul was dedicated in everything that he worked on,” said Ahern, who added Gallant loved his job.
“He became the heart and soul of Credit Union Place with his professionalism and caring for everything that happened in his favourite place to be.”
Dexter worked closely with Gallant for more than 15 years.
“Paul Gallant was absolutely about the kids and this community,” emphasized Dexter. “Nothing brought him more pleasure than doing the extras so it made things cool for the local kids, as well as doing the extras for guest teams so they felt welcome and enjoyed themselves.”
Dexter praised Gallant’s ability to connect with people.
“The special thing about Paul was that he valued all user groups and users – whether it was a tournament with 250 kids and families, or a mom, dad and kid at a public skate early Sunday morning,” said Dexter. “He wanted everyone to enjoy themselves, and enjoy Summerside.
“He had a wonderful appreciation of everyone’s point of view, and was respectful to everyone.”
Billy Schurman, another close friend and former co-worker, praised Gallant’s loyalty, devotion and passion.
“Paul was a great example of what we all would like to be,” said Schurman. “He was a quiet leader who truly cared.”
Schurman noted Gallant took pride in many special moments in Summerside sports history, including the first lights being turned on at Queen Elizabeth Park, the transition of clay to rock dust at the ball fields, dedication of the John (The Realm) McNeill Room at Cahill Stadium, moving from Cahill Stadium to Credit Union Place (CUP) and hosting major events.
“I’ll never forget the tears in his eyes when we found out (in the early 1990s) we were awarded the Canadian peewee baseball championship for 10 consecutive years, the naming of Gordie Arsenault’s field or the day Consolidated Credit Union, which he loved, agreed to naming rights for the CUP,” recalled Schurman. “Paul’s lifelong presence within the sporting community is something hard to find, hard to lose and impossible to forget.”